Device for handling heavy projectiles and ammunition



(No Model.)

T; POR'SSELL. DEVICE FOR HANDLING HEAVY PROJEGTILES ANnAMMUN TmN. No. 543,728 Patented July 30, 1895.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORE FORSSELL, OF VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA.

DEVICE FOR HANDLING HEAVY PROJECTILES AND AMMUNITION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 543,728, dated July 30, 1895.

Application filed April 3, 1895.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEODORE FORSSELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vallejo, county of Solano, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Devices for Handling Heavy Projectiles and Ammunition; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to a device for handling projectiles and ammunition, such as is used for heavy ordnance.

It consists of the construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a part of the shell-room, showing shells with my device attached. Fig. 2: a b are end and side views of one form of my device. Figs. 3 and 4: a b are similar views showing different constructions. Figs. 5 and 6 represent enlarged views of the free ends of the band or clasp.

In the handling of ammunition and projectiles such as are used for the heavy-ordnance on board vessels and in other places it is necessary to provide for the lifting of shells weighing as much as one thousand pounds. The usual method of handling these projectiles is by means of tongs, rope straps, and other similar inconvenient devices, and in addition to the inconvenience they are also unsafe, as the tongs are liable to slip or the ropes to break and theshells drop, with danger of explosion.

The object of my invention is to provide a simplefsafe, and efficient clasp for handling projectiles.

A is the projectile, and B B is a circular metal band or clasp made in two halves having their meeting edges hinged together, as shown at C, so that the two parts may be readily opened or closed about the hingejoint. In Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 6 I have shown this hinge formed at the bottom of the two halves, each of said halves or sections having its free end slotted, with the free end of one of the sections or halves adapted to receive the corresponding end of the other sec- 7 Serial No. 544,302, (No model.)

tion to bring the slots of the two sections or halves into coincidence, and provided with a rigid supplemental eye D. Akey E is driven through the slots of the sections or halves to bind the clasp tightly upon the article to be lifted.

In Fig.3 I have shown the band or clasp having the hinge 0 upon the top and the eye D for the reception of the key at the bottom, so that the band will open upon the bottom instead of the top. Upon the upper side of the band is formed a rigid supplemental eye F, which is adapted to receive the hook or attachment by which the shell is to be lifted and transported from the shell-room.

In Fig. 4 I have shown the band or clasp provided with two eyes F and G upon opposite sides, so that the hooks for lifting may be applied at both top and bottom. This "construction is especially designed for use where the shells are stowed vertically. The shells are ordinarily stowed horizontally, with suitable chocks or means for holding them in tiers, one above the other, and the projecting portion of the clasps will extend into the spaces between the alternately-arranged tiers above and below.

Rope gaskets are placed between the shells at each end of the cylindrical portion, so as to prevent their rocking or tilting about the bands, or they may be stowed in any other suitable or desired manner.

.When the shell is to be transported, the tackle or hoisting device is attached to the eye by which the shell is to be lifted, and, the band being keyed tightly upon the shell in central position, so that the shell balances horizontally, it is then transported in any usual or suitable manner to the gun. The band being disengaged, so that the shell can be introduced into the gun, is ready for use upon another shell.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A means for handling heavy projectiles and ammunition, consisting of a tw0-part hinged metal band adapted to clasp the projectile,

said band having the free ends of its sections to engage said supplemental eye to suspend slotted, with the free end of one of the secand transport the projectile. ro tions adapted to receive the corresponding In witness whereof I have hereunto set my end of the other section to bring the slots of hand.

3 the two sections into coincidence, and pro- THEODORE FORS SELL.

vided with a rigid supplemental eye, a key WVitnesses: to be passed through said slots for uniting S. H. NOURSE,

said free ends and a hoisting device adapted II. F. ASCI-IECK. 

